Paint and Lacquer falling off bumper...advice please!

RealBobbyDazzler

As I posted above - "why not try and find the bodyshop the garage used if it wasn't them and see if they will rectify it". Also Luke posted a good question if you're using a pressure washer, especially on new paint it's not advised (nor is wax etc) until paints a few months old.

129T

Guys to clarify,

The paintwork started reacting and falling off after 3 weeks of ownership. It was not present on viewing and sale. I would not expect this from a 4.5 year old VW and in any case that bumper has had a respray in the past (as pointed out be a professional coachworks company). It is impossible to find out who worked on the car before I owned it. I was sold it as never been in an accident, not accident repaired.

But...

The dealer does have a duty to sell vehicle's of satisfactory quality. I would argue that satisfactory quality and paint falling off 3 weeks after purchase are in issue.

It is a low mileage 4.5 yr old Golf GTi and I would expect more. Not to pay £16.5k for a car then £700 to have it put right 3 weeks later(cheapest quote from a main bodywork specialist).

The car is not washed with a pressure washer.

This is now all with the financial Ombudsman anyway, I will keep you's updated...

AdrianC

129T wrote: »

I was sold it as never been in an accident, not accident repaired.

As has been pointed out already, it is simply not possible for the supplier to accurately give you that answer.

Is it unreasonable to expect a bumper on a 4.5yo car to never have been previously repainted...?

129T

No, it is not unreasonable, but it is reasonable to expect that paint to last. This responsibility falls to the supplying dealer.

MEM62

Got anywhere with this yet OP?

129T

Mem it's all with the financial Ombudsman at the moment. When I get a result i'll post up the outcome.

129T

MEM62 wrote: »

Got anywhere with this yet OP?

Yes, I have.

The Financial Ombudsman service have found me in favour so far, and that the finance company supplied my vehicle in a condition that was not of satisfactory quality. The report makes for an interesting read. My finance company now have until the 17th February to consider if they agree, after that the report will go before the Ombudsman. They have also recommended compensation for me.

After that I will post up a sanitised copy of the report so it can help others.

MEM62

129T wrote: »

Yes, I have.

The Financial Ombudsman service have found me in favour so far, and that the finance company supplied my vehicle in a condition that was not of satisfactory quality. The report makes for an interesting read. My finance company now have until the 17th February to consider if they agree, after that the report will go before the Ombudsman. They have also recommended compensation for me.

After that I will post up a sanitised copy of the report so it can help others.

It's looking like a promising result

129T

OK, result time.....This has dragged on all year but yesterday was the final ruling by an Ombudsman.

Long and short - I was successful.

The finance company disputed the claim, however the write up by the Ombudsman makes for compelling reading.  I have just accepted the offer (and also compensation) and I have been told that the case will go up on the financial ombudsman site in the case study section soon.

To those that said I had no case - clearly you were so very wrong.

My advice to you all - If you think you have been wronged, pursue it through the right channels.

I look forward to having my car repaired to the standard it should have been.

AdrianC

So, after all this, they're paying to respray the bumper?

129T said:

I have had three quotes to get it done propely (strip paint, repaint and lacquer). They come in at £700, £800 and £900 (approx.).

The finance company are not playing ball now, and the dealer wants to palm me off with £200 (a joke!).

How much blood pressure, sweat and tears over the course of seven months to get that £500 covered...?
And, in the mean time, you've been driving around with a peeling bumper?

Like I said at the time...

AdrianC said:
Were the repairs competent? You have no contract with whoever repaired it, even if you could identify them. But it is reasonable to expect the paint to be in a condition commensurate with a "stunning" 4-5yo car, and - you're right, that doesn't include peeling badly in a few weeks.
They've offered £200 towards repainting the bumper. You need to decide whether to accept that, or whether to try to get more of a contribution. I think you're going to have to start with a letter before action, then small claim. Good luck.

This could have been over months ago, with the bill covered. I hope the compensation is worth the blood pressure.